The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH H. JOHNSON .

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for
service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving as a reconnaissance scout with Company A, First Reconnaissance
Battalion, First Marine Division in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong
forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 5 March 1968, during
OPERATION ROCK, First Class Johnson was a member of a fifteen-man reconnaissance patrol
manning an observation post on Hill 146 overlooking the Quan Duc Duc Valley deep in enemy
controlled territory. They were attacked by a platoon-size hostile force employing
automatic weapons, satchel charges and hand grenades. Suddenly a hand grenade landed in
the three- man fighting hole occupied by Private First Class Johnson and two fellow
Marines. Realizing the inherent danger to his comrades, he shouted a warning and
unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the explosive device. When the grenade exploded,
Private First Class Johnson absorbed the tremendous impact of the blast and was killed
instantly. His prompt and heroic act saved the life of one Marine at the cost of his own
and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from penetrating his sector of the patrol's perimeter.
Private First Class Johnson's courage inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.